Electric flasher



Dec. 10, 1929. w G, KEITH i 1,738,714

ELECTRIC FLASHER Filed June 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. l0, 1929. w. G. KEITH 1,738,714

' v ELECTRIC FLASHER Filed June 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec.A 10, ,1929-r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM G. KEITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WELSB-ACH TRAFFIC SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC FLASHER Original application filed October 16, 1926, Seria1`No. 142,013. Divided and this application filed June A2o, 1927. semaine. 200,167.

This application is a continuation .and a division of a part of the application, Serial No. 142,013, ined October 1x6, 1926, by the applicant and relates to the subject-matter Vherein set forth and claimed. The aforementioned application related to electric iiashers, and the present continuing and divisional application filed by thepresent petitioner is limited to the invention claimed in claims l to 8, inclusive, 16'and 17 of'theaforementioned application.

This `invention relates to electric flashers and has special reference toV electromagnetically operated flashers for controlling electric signal devices, electric signs and the like.

More particularly, this invention has reference to an electric iasher wherein a pair lot' fluid contact-making members are operated vby anelectromagnet, one of said contactmaking members being adapted to control the electric current for energizing said electromagnet, and the other of said contact-making members lbeing adapted to control the electric current for operating the load.

Inasmuch as devices of the character indicated above are continuous in action, it is desirable that such devices be simple in construction, simple in` operation, and that they require a minimum amount of electrical current for operation. VMoreover, it is particularly desirable -to provide a construction which is capable of opening and closing an electric circuit indefinitely and without substantial deterioration or disintegration of the contact-making members, or of the operating mechanism generally.

The present invention, which conforms to the foregoing requisites, comprises a pendulum pivotally -connected to a support, which pendulum has a pair of electric switches, preferably tiltable fluid contact-making and breaking members, mounted thereon, said pendulum being operated by an electromagnet which is controlled by one of said electric switches, while the other of said electric switches is connected to a lamp or other suitable load `which is controlled thereby.

For a better understanding of the nature, scope and characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of a signal device in which this invention may be embodied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l showing the operating mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 2 taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. et is a plan sectional view taken on the line 4-4 ot' Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit embodied in this invention.

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is shown as embodied in a signal device l() for illustrative purposes only, since this invention may be employed for operating electric signs, devices for spectacular illumination of all kinds and all devices and apparatus wherein a periodic make and break of an electrical circuit is employed.

The signal device'lO is used as a warning, particularly for motorists, and is placed at the end of a street, a turn in the road, railway crossings, intersections of streets, etc.. This device comprises a signal head in which is positioned an electric lamp in the upper end thereof in a plane with a lens l1, a support for said signal head andmounted on a container, an electric flasher l2 centrally located in said container and for operating said lamp, and batteries 13 in the lower end -of said container for operating said electric flasher and for lighting said electric lamp. In this instance, a plurality of dry cell batteries are employed as the source of electric currentbecause a lamp of low voltage may be used. It is to be understood, however, that any source of electrical supply may be used in this device as various minor replacements may be made to accommodate higher voltages, the representation herein shown being more economical, and therefore, preferable.

The electrical flasher l2 comprises a metal base 14 having an electromagnet l5 mounted thereon, said elcctromagnet being substantially of the horse-shoe type having a soft iron core around which a coil of wire 16 is wound and insulated therefrom, said core being disposedbetween two extending arms or brackets 17. A pair of rods- 18 are secured'to flanges 19 by means of bolts 20.J and extend upwardly to be secured to a metal cross-member 21 and an insulating cap 22 by means of bolts 23.

The flasher 12 is suitably enclosed by a casing 28 fastened to the base 14 at its lower end and fastened to the cross-member 21 at its upper end. This device is perpendicularly suspended in the housing of the signal device by means of a' cord or wire 24 fastened to an eye .screw secured to said insulating cap 22 at a proper location thereon, said wire 24 extending to depressed portion 26 of the suspension rod 27 supported in the container. By this means of suspension it is possible to regulate to adjust the timing of the mecha- 'nism at the factory before shipment therefrom. lt will be apparent that the device may now adapt itself for use in various constructions without further adjustment to the flasher, and moreover, without any1 adjustment to the construction in which it is installed.

In order to periodically light the lamps in the signal device a pair of tiltable fluid contact-making members 29 and 39 are disposedin clips 29a Yand 30a, respectively, and are mounted on a bracket 31 secured to a pendulum 32. The pendulum consists of an arm 33 extending vertically in the casing and secured at its upper end preferably to a highly flexible phosphor-bronze member 34 which, in turn, is secured to the cross-member 21. A substantially heavy iron member 35 is secured to the lower end of said varm 33 and in a normal inoperative position, rests between the planes coextensive with the inner surfaces of the brackets 17 and in close prox- ,imity to the brackets.

While the pendulum 32 has been specifically describedas it is being manufactured for present day use, it is, to be understood that various other constructions are possible to produce a like result. However, the pivotal means being positively secured to its support insures a` permanent construction which offers the least possible opportunity of becoming disarranged. Further the use of phosphor-bronze in this construction provides a greater durability than any other l metal and since the arc of flexure of this phosphor-bronze member is practically nil, the life of this member is practically unlimited.

The Vcontact-making members 29 and 3'0 areV similarand comprise acontainer in one end of which two spaced electrodes' are hermetically sealed and in which a compact and coherent body of current-conducting fluid is disposed for bringing said electrodes into electrical conducting relation with one another. The electrodes within the member 29 are connected to lead-in wires 36 and 37' while the electrodes within the member 30 ure connected to lead-in wires 38 and 39.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the lead-in wires 37 and 39 are connected to a common terminal 40 while the lead-in wire 36 isconnected to one end of the coil 16, the other end of said coil being connected to the terminal 41. The lead-in wire 38 is icon-1 nccted directly to the terminal 42, the terminals 40, 41 and 42 being` mounted on the insulating cap 22. The load or lamp 43 is connected to terminals 41 and 42 while the batteries 13 are connected to the terminals. 40 and 41. lt will be noted that the electrodes are positioned in opposite ends of the members 29 and 30 respectively, and that a tilting of the members in the same directionv would cause the current-conducting fluid to bridge the electrodes in one member thereby completing the circuit through that member` whereas, the current-conducting fluid in the other of said members would be caused to break the circuit through the latter member.

ln^`accordance with the above mentioned information, it will be assumed that the members 29 and 30 are tilted to a position whereby the current-conducting fluid bridges `the electrodes in the member 29. rlhe circuit will be completed from the bat tery 13 through the terminal 40, the member 2 9, the coil 16, the terminal 41 and back to the battery. Should the member 29 and 30 be tilted to a position whereby the current-conducting fluid bridges the electrodes in the member 30, the circuit would be completed fromthe battery 13 through the terminal 40, member 30, terminal 42, lamp 43, and back to the battery. A tilting of the tubes in one direction would, therefore, energize the coil, whereas, a tilting of the vtubes in an opposite direction would com- 1plete a circuit through the lamp or other oad. 3 i I ln the operation of the mechanism of the flasher, the pendulum, as hereinbefore stated, rests in its normal inoperative position in close proximity to the electromagnet brackets 17. In this position the currentconducting fluid bridges the electrodes within the tube or member 29 completing an electrical circuit through said tubejand, as also hereinbefore' explained, the current-conducting fluid in the tube or member 30 occupies a position such that an electrical circuit does not exist therethrough. A passage f of electrical current through said tube 29 energizes the coil 16 of the electromagnet 15 and creates an induction therein, thereby drawing the weighted member 35' of the pendulum inwardly until the tubes are tilted to a position whereby the current-conducting fluid in the tube 29 -flows away from the electrodes and thefeircuit is broken. The current-Conducting-iiuid''in the tube 30 also lovvii the" same' direction as said fluid said tube 30 and establishes an electrical circuit therethrough to light the lamp.

As soon as the electrical circuit is broken, through the tube 29, the coil 16 is de-energized and the Weighted member 85 is permitted to return to its normal position, which action causes the tubes to tilt to their original position wherein the electrical circuit is broken through thetube 30 and completed through the tube 29. The coil is now re-energiz'ed and the same cycle is repeated, the action of which causes a Hashing of the lamp.

This invention also provides that the tube 30 be made adjustable to regulate the timing of the Hash period. In some instances, it is desirable to have a greater length of Hash period and vice versa. This is accomplished by a partial rotation of said tube Within its clip 30a. When the electrodes occupy a vertical position Within said tube, a maximum Hash period is obtained, whereas, when said tube is given a partial rotation and theelectrodes obtain an inclined position, it will be apparent that a greater amount of mercury is required to bridge said electrodes and in an extreme position a full tilt is required before said electrodes are bridged. As the tube 30 is held in an extreme position for but an instant, the time of the Hash is eX- tremely short, whereas, when the electrodes highly mobile.

occupy a vertical position, said electrodes are bridged before a full tilt of the tube occurs and remain in a bridged condition for a substantial period after said tube has reversed its direction, and therefore, the Hash period extends substantially longer.

The current-conducting Huid disposed Within the contact-making members 29 and '30 is preferably of mercury. Inasmuch as v tween said Hash periods may be obtained.

While it is preferable to embody this inventionin the device herein shown and described, various other forms Will be apparent to one skilled in the art vvithout departing from the spirit of this invention, and the invention is, therefore, to be limited Vonly by the scope of the appended claims and the prior art.

I claim: f 1. In a device of the character described, a tiltabley member, a Huid contact-making member mounted thereon `for. operating an electrical circuit, electrical means cooperating with the free end of and for actuatingV said tiltable member into one position, -a

second Huid contact-making member for con-` trolling the operation of said actuating means, and mechanical means for actuating said tiltable member intoa second position.

2. In a device of the character described, a tiltable member, a pair of fluid contact-making members mounted thereon, electrical means cooperating with afree end and for actuating said tiltable member into one position, and mechanical means for actuating said tiltable member into a second position, said members being adapted to control electrical circuits, one of said contact-making members being in a closed circuit position .during the time the other of said contactmaking members is in an open circuit position, one of said electrical circuits being adapted to control the actuation of said tiltable member. v

3. In a device of the character described, a support,avertically extending member pivotally mounted on said support, a plurality of Huidcontact-makingmembersmountedonsaid vertical member, and electrical means cooperating vvith the free end of and for actuatlng said vertical member4 into one position, i

and mechanical means for actuating said.`

vertical member into a second position, said electrical actuating means being controlled by one of said contact-making members.

4. In a device of the character described,

a support, a Hexible member secured thereto,

a vertically extending member secured'to said Hexible member, a plurality of Huid contact-making members mounted on said vertical memberl for controlling electrical circuits, one of said electrical circuits being adapted to control the actuation of said ver-v tically extending member.

5. In a device of the character described,

a support, an actuating member pivotally` mounted on said support, a plurality of Huid contact making-and-breaking members mounted on said actuating member, a Weighted member secured to the free end of and for holding said actuating member in one position, and an electromagnet operated by one of said electrical circuits for attracting said Weighted member,y said Weighted member operating said actuating member intoa second position. n

6. In a deviceV of the lcharacter described, a support, an actuating member pivotally 'mounted on said support, a plurality7 of Huid contact making-and-breaking members mounted on said actuating member, a

Weighted member secured to the free end of f and for holding said actuating member in one position, and means controlled by one of said electrical circuits for influencing said Weighted member, said Weighted member operating said actuating member into a second position. l

7. In a device of the character described, a sup ort, a vertically extending member pivotal y mounted on said support, a plurality of fluid contact making members mounted on said vertical member for controlling electric circuits, a weighted member secured. to the free end of said vertical member for holding said vertical member in one position -and an electromagnet operated by one of `Weighted member, said Weighted member said electrical circuits and for attractingsaid actuating said vertical member into a second position.

In Witness whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM G. KEITH. 

